The Golden Jubilee of Perpetual Vows of our Little Sister Bernice Marie Gertrude (1975-2025) occurring during this Jubilee Year of Hope called for a celebration with Our Blessed Mother Mary, Pilgrim of Hope.
Mother Celine Thérèse, who doesn’t believe in saving words of remembrance for funerals, took this occasion to share how she came to feel very close to Sr. Bernice. It was Mother’s experience of Sr. Bernice’s attentive caring during retreats in Flemington that blossomed into friendship between these two kindred spirits. “Fellow Philly Girls” in our community chimed in with youthful adventures with Sr. Bernice. Memories of days in Palatine together and times in Queen of Peace where Sr. Bernice was Assistant, and when she was Mother in the Bronx and Canada also came up. Younger Little Sisters recounted how Sr. Bernice’s great humor brightened their trips to Flemington as novices. It was a happy reminiscing!
The culmination of the Jubilee was the celebration of Holy Mass and the Renewal of her Vows. It was an opportunity for all of us to renew our own commitment and praise God for calling, consecrating, and keeping us in His loving care as Little Sisters of the Poor, grateful daughters of st. Jeanne Jugan.
Rev. Jon Thomas was the celebrant for the Votive Mass of a Jubilee of Religious Profession. It was his first time to preside such a celebration and he made the liturgy come alive with his enthusiasm. Father Jon was happy to come all the way from his parish in Haddonfield, NJ because he had personally received hospitality from Sr. Bernice for several of his own private retreats in Flemington. He was recommended to her by the Little Sisters in Philadelphia whom he came to know as a seminarian at St. Charles Seminary.
In his homily, Father highlighted Sr. Bernice’s many years of service in leadership positions in our Congregation, especially in Canada. He said: “Sr. Bernice went from “Manager of the Killer Bees” – Buildings, Boilers, and Budgets — to Master of Hospitality.”
Some particular words of wisdom from Sr. Bernice have stayed with him. She told him that sharing life with just one other Little Sister, Sr. Anne Claire, taught her how important it is to be reconciled right away after any disagreement, no matter how little the friction might have been. Father said he took her advice to heart in his own rectory life, living with just one or two other priests.
Referring to the Scripture Reading assigned, not chosen, for this day, the Story of the Rich Young Man, Father said it could not have been more appropriate for this occasion.It reminded him of the response of a fellow seminarian when he was complaining of new requirements from the Rector. “What more can they demand of us?” he asked. “Everything” his classmate responded. Yes! That’s what God wants of us! As St. Jeanne Jugan would say: “Refuse God nothing.”
To conclude, Father Jon thanked us for our presence in Philadelphia. “It’s Holy Family Home that is the beating heart of God’s love in this neighborhood!
